Tunnel oven for thermolytic distillation



Oct. 17, 1950 J, CARTwRlGH-r 2,526,459

TUNNEL OVEN FOR THERMOLYTIC DISTILLATION Filed Oct. 4, 1946 l1 Sheets-Sheet 1 fighi. 943

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TUNNEL OVEN FOR THERMOLYTIC DISTILLATION Filed oct. 4, 194e 11 sheets-sheet 2 I Figi l 45 Flgg 36 46 oooo ocooo .56

Inventor Oct. 17, 950 J. cARTwRlGl-IT 2,526,459

TUNNEL OVEN FOR THERMOLYTIC DISTILLATION Filed oct. 4, 194e 11 sheets-sheet 5` 5 Inventur Oct. 17, 1950 J. cARTwRlGHT TUNNEL ovEN FOR THERMOLYTIC DISTILLATION 11 Sheets-.Sheet 4 lFiled oor. 4. 194e Oct. 17, 1950 J. cARTwRlGHT TUNNEL ovl-:N FOR THERMOLYTIC DISTILLATION Filed oct. 4, 1946- 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 /wf Kw2 4.

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TUNNEL OVEN FOR THERMoLYTrc DISTILLA'x- ION Filed Oct. 4, 1946 v 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct. 17, 1950 .1. cARTwRlGHT 2,526,459

TUNNEL OVEN FOR THERMOLYTIC DISTILLATION Filed Oct. 4, 1946 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 112 f 125 O00: r .r 111/ 149 y Ei `147 H8 P/ 117 4 110 1 8 i 1M E E67 j 150 Manin/[owe- :q'n-Qmr -a -11 i 'YA Inventur Oct. 17, 1950- J. cARrwRlGH'r TUNNEL ovEN FOR- THERMOLYTIC DISTILLATION 11 sheets-sheet Filed Oct. 4, 1946 l n veu vor Oct. 17, 1950 J. cARTwRlGHT TUNNEL ovEN FOR 'mERMomr'rIcl DISTILLATION Filed Oct. 4, 1946 l1 Sheets-Sheet 9 m w m w m d J. CARTWRIGHT TUNNEL lOVEN FOR THERMOLYTICA DISTILLATION olct. 17, 1959 .11 lsheets-sheet 10 Filed 0ct.4, 1946l i V1a@ Figi? I nvenor Filed oct. 4, 194e 7 11 she-sheet 11 Oct. 17, 1950 J. cARTwRlGHT 2,526,459

TUNNEL ovl-:N FOR THERMOLYTIC pIsTILLATIoN venwrl' y.

d'mmey.

i'pended or supported Patented Oct. 17, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT oFEicE TUNNEL OVEN FOR THERMOLYTIC DSTILLATION Jack Cartwright, Pencoed,

near Bridgend, England, assigner to Low Temperature Carbonisation Limited, London, England, a British stock corporation joint- Application October 4, 1946, Serial No. 701,225 In Great BritainNovember 3, 1939 9 Claims. (01.1202-99 This invention relates to the distillation of solid carbonaceous substances such as coal, peat or oil shale, or mixtures or blends of such substances, for the production of a smokeless fuel by distillation at low, medium or high final temperature.

The invention has among its objects to carry out the distillation in the efficient utilisation of heat and at a low cost for plant and maintenance.

The distillation is carried out within retorts or tubes at one end to depend vertically in close proximity in series, and caused to pass slowly and continuously or intermittently through a heating chamber of elongated vertical cross-section wherein the retorts are enclosed and subjected to heat under regulation, the retorts or tubes having lateral outlets through which the vapours and gases evolved are passed into a hydraulic main disposed in the direction of the path of travel of the retorts or tubes through the heating chamber, whereby during the evolution of gas and vapour the gas and vapour outlets of the retorts or tubes may remain immersed in the lliquor in the hydraulic main beneath the edge of a wall extending downwardly into the liquor and defining a part of the width of the main that is enclosed, the liquor being exposed to one side of the wall.

The hydraulic main may advantageously be provided below and parallel with the heating chamber and the gas and vapour outlets of the retorts or tubes be positioned towards or at the lower ends of the retorts or tubes, The hydraulic main may, however, be mounted in position above the heating chamber and the retorts or tubes be provided with outlet pipes or fittings at or near the upper end of the retorts or tubes at a position above the heating chamber.

The hydraulic main is provided with the lower part extended laterally of the said wall for the exposure of the surface of the liquor in the-hydraulic main for the entry of the laterally extending parts of the outlets of the retorts or tubes and where the hydraulic main is below the heating chamber such laterally extending part of the hydraulic main may serve also for the immersion of the lower ends of the retorts or tubes, whereby the said ends are sealed in the liquor and a positive air and gas-tight closure is afforded "to the lower ends of the retorts or tubes, such closure functioning as a safety valve in the event of the existence of an obstruction in the gas and vapour outlet ofv a retort or tube.

of small cross-sectional dimensions sustive ends with open extensions wherein the surface of the liquor is exposed, and the track upon which ,the retorts or tubes are supported or suspended and moved through the heating chamber is so formed that, at a position adjacent the end of the heating chamber by which the retorts or tubes enter, the retorts or tubes successively fall to a lower level, whereby the outwardly extending parts of their gas and vapourvoutlets dip in the liquor in the adjacent extension of the main, so that their further movement is continued through a covered part of the main, the near wall of which extends substantially beneath the level of the liquor. Thus, the vapour and gases are discharged to rise into the covered part of. the main, while similarly as the retorts or tubes approach the other end of the main they successively rise at the position of a similar open extension of the main at which the surface of the liquor is exposed, and from which the gas and vapour outlets are free to rise to pass out above the end walls of the extension on the movement of the retorts or tubes to the discharging position.

The retorts or tubes suspended or mounted upon an endless'track by which they pass into and through the heating chamber, and on emerging may pass under gravity to the position at which they may be discharged and after discharge the retorts or tubes may then pass along an elevated part of the track where they may be again charged and then returned under gravity again to enter and traverse the heating chamber.

The heating chamber may be heated under such conditions that the temperature rises along the length of the chamber and that a Zone of highest temperature is towards one end of the chamber. The direction of movement of the retorts or tubes through the heating chamber is advantageously opposed to the direction in which the temperature within the heating chamber rises and in such case the heated retorts or tubes may f leave the end of the heating chamber at which are disposed combustionY chambers and maybe utilised for pre-heating the air for combustion which may be permitted to flow past the retorts or tubes to passages within the walls of the heating chamber leading to the combustion chambers.

The upper end of each retort or tube may be permanently closed and the lower end may be provided with a removable or hinged closure plate that may be applied to a downwardly depending skirt of the 'retort or tube that may be perforated for the egress of gas and vapour from the retort or tube into an end fitting provided with the lateral gas and vapour outlet, the removable closure plate supporting the charge within the retort or tube.

rhe charge within a retort or tube may alternatively be supported upon a perforated supporting plate, grid or the like, disposed Within the retort or tube at a short distance above the gas and vapour outlets. Such supporting plate or grid may be provided to be engaged in a removable manner with supporting lugs, catches or the like, in suitable disposition within the retort or tube. rI'he supporting plate or grid may be pivotally mounted upon the retort or tube and may be retained in the operative position by a lug or catch which also may be pivotally mounted and adapted to be rotated automatically from the exterior of the retort or tube for the release of the supporting plate or grid.

The retorts or tubes may be grouped to form retort units and such units may be provided with end ttings which may have a gas and vapour outlet common to the retorts or tubes of the unit, which also may be closed by a common closure plate.

The invention also comprises a setting having a longitudinal heating chamber through which the retorts or tubes suitably suspended are caused to travel from end to end, the heating chamber being defined by walls that may be formed of box-bricks or other refractory bricks or of material adapted for the radiation of heat upon the retorts cr tubes in their passage through the heating chamber, which walls may separate the heating chamber from a series of combustion chambers and heating flues disposed and arranged in series alternately along the length of the setting, the corresponding combustion chambers and the heating flues being in communication in such manner as to afford a tortuous path for the heating gases on their passage to a discharge flue.

The combustion chambers are advantageously provided lwith means for the supply of gas and air under individual control whereby the temperature in the heating fiues at any position in the length of the setting may be determined.

The invention also comprises a setting comprising, in longitudinal disposition along it on each side of the heating chamber, longitudinal series of metal tubes or hollow structures extending along the length of the heating chamber of the setting and serving for the radiation of heat from the gases derived from burners provided at l the one end of the tubes or structures, the waste gases being discharged at the far end of the tubes or structures to an exhaust flue. There may be provided a combustion chamber or chambers and a communicating heating flue or ues delivering the heating gases into the tubes or structures. Such series of tubes or hollow structures may be succeeded along the setting by other series or by heating nues that serve to deliver the Waste heating gases to an exhaust flue.

rlhe invention further comprises the features which are hereinafter described.

The invention is illustrated by Way of example in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

Figures 1(11), 1(1)) and 1(0) together form a longitudinal sectional elevation of a coal distillation plant according to the invention.

Figures 2(11), 2(1)) and 2(0) together form a sectional plan of the plant represented in Figures 1(a). 1(1)) and 1(c).

Figure 3 is a cross-section of the plant illustrated in the foregoing figures, taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1(1)) Figure 4 is a cross-section of the plant illustrated in Figures 1m), 1(1)) and 1(0) and Figures 2(11), 2(1)) and 2(c), taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 1(0) Figure 5 is a detail sectional view to a larger scale.

Figure 6 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a retort or tube unit and suspension mechanism as used in the plant illustrated in the preceding figures.

Figure 7 is an end elevation, lpartly in section, of the retort or tube unit and suspension mechanisrn represented in Figure 6, the closure plate or door being in the open position.

Figure 8 is a part end elevation of the retort or tube unit represented in Figure 6, showing the closure plate or door in the closed position.

Figure 9 is a plan of the lower part of the retort or tube unit represented in Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a retort or tube-discharging apparatus, for

' use with the units represented in Figure 6.

Figure 1l is an end elevation, partly in section, of the retort or tube-discharging apparatus illustrated in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is an end elevation of a retort or tubedischarging apparatus, for use with the units represented in Figure 6.

Figure 13 is a sectional elevation, transverse to the heating chamber, of a modied coal distillation plant according to the invention.

Figure 14 is a part side elevation and part sectional elevation of the plant illustrated in Figure 13.

Figure l5 is a sectional elevation, transverse to the heating chamber, of part of another modied construction of the coal distillation plant.

Figure 15 is a longitudinal sectional elevation corresponding to Figure l5.

Figure 17 is an underside view of the two-retort unit represented in Figures 15 and 16, on an enlarged scale.

Figure 18 is a sectional elevation, transverse to the heating chamber, of a further modication in construction of the coal distillation plant.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary sectional plan of the setting shown in Figure 18, the retorts being omitted.

Figure 20 is a vertical section on the line Zit-21] of Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a longitudinal elevation in section of a form of heating chamber and setting, similar to that of Figures 1(11), 1(1)), 1(0) and 2(11), 2(1)) and 2(0).

Figure 22 is a sectional plan on the line 2 2-22 of Figure 21.

Figure 23 is a sectional plan of a modication of the heating furnace setting represented in Figures 21 and 22.

In carrying the invention into effect according to the construction represented, by way of eX- ample, in Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings, the retorts or tubes l of steel or cast iron are provided of a small diameter, such as six inches or more or less, and of a moderate or short length, such as from ve to fteen feet, but no limitation is imposed by such dimensions. While the retorts or tubes are advantageously circular in cross-section, they may be of oblong or other form and are so disposed that the narroWeSt cross-sectional dimension extends across the heating chamber. The cross-section in any l ing lateral walls 4, and end walls 6.

4 of the fitting extends form of the retorts or tubes may increase in area downwardly. The retorts or tubes may be of la heat-resisting alloy and may be in continuous lengths or formed in sections, the sections being Ywelded or otherwise secured together.

The retorts or tubes I, as represented in Figures 6 to 9, are grouped in a series of ve in alignment to form a retort unit. They are closed at the upper ends by a common closing plate 2 .welded or otherwise secured to the tubes I, the

lower ends of which are welded or otherwise secured to or in a rectangular plate 3 in register with circular seatings or openings therein. The plate 3 forms the upperwall of a hollow rectangular end fitting open at the lower The wall downwardly short of the lower end of the fitting and is continued as an Y outwardly extending horizontal plate 1 anged ing plate I6 common to the retorts I and formed with perforations or louvered openings whereby the gas and vapour from the charges in the retorts may pass into the end fitting and thence escape by the outlet.

The door or closure plate 9 is pivoted by hinge pins II to lugs or brackets I2 provided on the inner face of the lateral wall 5 of the end fitting and is fitted at each end with a bracket I3 to which is pivoted a link I4 the outer end of which is pivotally connected to one arm of a'bell-crank..

lever I5 having an operating arm I6. The door or closure plate 9 is maintained in the closed position under the action of a pair of leaf springs I1 anchored respectively to the inner faces 'of the extensions 8 of the end walls of the end fitting and carrying at their free ends rollers I8 which bear always upon cam arms I9 set in fixed relation to the levers I5 which are coupled together by the spindle supported in brackets 2| on the lateral wall 5 of the end ttin'g.

For the support of the retort unit from the track there is provided in a middle position upon the closing plate 2 a longitudinally disposed vertical suspension plate 22 which, near the upper end, is formed with spaced holes 23 of rectangular cross-section. The plate 22 also serves to support a horizontallyA disposed plate 24 which, with the corresponding plates of the preceding andsucceeding retort units, serves to seal the longitudinal slot in the top of the heating chamber through which the suspension plates 22 travel. The plates 24v are provided with upstanding channel ittings 25, closed at the upper ends, which are so spaced apart that the edges of the corresponding plate 22 may be slidably received therein. The plates 24 are thus supported on the plates 22 by the upper closed ends of the channel fittings 25, with freedom to move upwardly upon the plates 22 to the limited extent determined by transverse stop pins 26.

Each retort unit is provided with a detachable track carriage comprising a substantially triangular fitting 21, which supports at one side upon stud spindles, grooves, track rollers or wheels 28. Towards one end the fitting 21 is provided, with end and havan upstanding driving arm A29 and at the two ends with laterally projecting buffer plates 30 by which one carriage may contact and move another. At the lower end of each fitting 21 there is supported upon a transverse pivot pin 3I a bearing member 32 in which there is supported upon a longitudinally disposed pivot pin 33, set 4in the vertical plane of the track rail or track rollers or wheels 28, spaced hook members 34 in fixed relation, for engagement in the holes 23 of the suspension plate 22, the hooks being provided with an operating spur or trigger 35.

In the plant illustrated in Figures 1(a), 1(b), and 1(0) and 2(a), 2 (b) and 2(0) of the accompanying drawings there is represented a heating chamber 36 adapted to receive two lines "fof retort units side by side. The chamber 36 is formed in a setting 31 of refractory brick work or heat insulating material supported upon a reinforced concrete entablature 38 carried by spaced standards or pedestals 39 from a ground surface. At the lateral edges of the entablature there are provided spaced pairs of H section uprights 40 that support transverse bearer members 4I, also of H section, from which the supporting tracks for the retort units are suspended. The brickwork or material of the heating chamber is supported between the uprights 40 and spaced from the entablature` for the reception below it of the hydraulic main 42, formed in heavy plate metal, the upper plates of which may support the brick work or material of the heating chamber. The latter is of rectangular crosssection and has the upper wall 43 formed with narrow longitudinal slots 44 to permit the edgewise passage of the suspension plates 22 of thev retort units and the lower wall formed with similar slots 45 of relatively considerable width to admit the retorts I of the retort units with adequate clearance.

' Within the heating chamber there are provided four vertical series of horizontally disposed radiant tubes 46 spaced in pairs for the passage between them of the retort units with suitable f clearance. The outer series of tubes 46 are supported in vertical transversely disposed bracket plates 41 having their inner edges formed with a series of pockets or recesses in which the tubes 46 are seated. The inner series of tubes 46 of the two pairs of series are similarly supported upon common transverse bracket plates v48 which may serve also for the support of the middle section of the upper wall 43 of the -heating chamber.

At one end of the tubes 46 and to the outer side of the first of the bracket plates 41 and 48 there is formed in the heating chamber a combustion space 49 in which, for each series o f tubes, there is provided a fuel gas burner comprising a tube 56 tted wth a burner nozzle 5I,Y with conical head, for each tube in the particular series, the head delivering fuel gas into a Venturi bush 52 (Figure 5) fitted in the end of the tube. The fuel gas is supplied from an overhead supply pipe 53 common to the several burner tubes, by way of corresponding branch pipes 54 fitted with control cocks 55. Inorder to secure effective supply to the series of burner nozzles 5I the burner tubes 5I] are advantageously provided with parallel equalising tubes 56 that are connected to the burner tubes near to the control cocks 55 and at the lower ends. At the other end the tubes 46 are set in a transverse wall 51 that separates the heating Vchamber 36 from discharge nues 58, 59 and 60 ;they approach the burners. `ileave the heating chamber it is advantageous to subject them to cooling by passing the air dition. 'caused to travel through a massive extension tort units.

:which communicate at the lower ends with a waste gas flue 6| that may lead to a chimney. YThe walls 51 and 62 are pierced only by the -passages: whereby the retort units enter the heating chamber, the discharge ues also being separated from the said passages. The disposition of the burners at one end of the tubes 46 ensures that the highest temperature in the heating chamber is in the proximity of the burners and that thence the temperature falls gradually to the lowest value at the position of the discharge of the waste gases into the flues 58, 59 and 60. The retort units are thussubjected to a gradually increasing temperature as As the retort units for combustion into contact with them so that it arrives at the burners in a preheated con- For the purpose the retort units are 63 of the brickwork or material of the heating chamber that is formed only with the passages 813 for the retort units, the air entering by the open ends of the passages Ell.

The hydraulic main l2 is formed by a base plate 65, a top plate ES in three sections spaced Vapart to admit between them the retorts or longitudinal chamber into which the gases and vapours are passed from the outlets of the re- At the two ends there are formed short uncovered extensions 69 of a reduced width sufficient to take with clearance the width of the end fittings of the retort units and so disposed that as the retort units enter the heating chamber 36 and leave the cooling extension 53 of the setting in the one case they may be j'lowered to immerse the gas and vapour outlets into the liquor in the hydraulic main so as to be below the level thereof and in the other case they maybe raised to withdraw the gas an vapour outlets from the liquor.

The hydraulic main is advantageously divided into compartments by the provision of trans- Vverse'partition plates 'le that extend between the intermediate plates SS but are symmetrically reduced in width at a level that is below the level of the liquor, to permit the passage of the gas and vapour outlets of the retort units. Each compartment is provided with a takeoff pipe ll, that acts as a weir to determine the level of the liquor in the hydraulic main and for the withdrawal of the gas and vapour whichv is carried away by the pipe 12. Liquor passing into the pipe il is drained away by the pipe '13.

The retort units are supported by their track or rail 'i'fl formed by one ilange of an angle-iron :beam the second flange of which is carried upon v2t so as to rest upon the upper surface of the brickwork of the setting and to close the longitudinal slots fill. To ensure the retention of the track rollers or wheels 28 on the track rail M there is advantageously provided a guard rail 'I6 supported from the bracket members 'l5 on distance members TI. In order that the retort units elements.

.may have imparted to them the movementin the vertical direction necessary to cause the gas and vapour outlets to dip into or rise from the liquor in the extensions S9 of the hydraulic main the track rail 'I4 is inclined in the necessary d-irections above the two extensions S9. Thus, when the retort units approach the admission end of the heating chamber 3E they are travelling at an elevation above that which they occupy in travelling through the heating chamber and they pass under control into the range of an endless chain 'I8 the lower part of which is constrained by end sprocket wheels 'i9 and 86 and a guiding sprocket wheel 8l to follow closely the profile of the guard rail 16. The chain 18 is driven by an electric motor 82 through a reduction gear 83 and a chain drive 3d the driven member of which is in fixed Vrelation to the sprocket wheel '59. An auxiliary framing 85 is provided for the support of the chain 18, its driving motor 82 and the accessory The tension of the chain is maintained by an adjustable guide sprocket wheel B. Each retort unit approaches the chain 'i8 down a slight incline in the track rail 'M and in such a manner that the driving arm 29 of the track carriage is received between spaced sleeves 8l and 88, mounted on determined link pins ofthe chain 78, the foremost sleeve 8l serving to retard the movement of the track carriage down the incline of the rail 'i4 and the sleeve 88 to drive the carriage forward when it has passed to the level track rail above the heating chamber. The retort units are fed through the heating chamber and the cooling extension by the chain i8, those that have passed out of range of the chain being propelled through the contacting of the rear buffer plates 30 with the forward buffer plates of the following units. At the same time the slotsealing plates 24 are maintained in endwise contact, or nearly so, for the closure of the upper part of the heating chamber and the cooling extension. As the retort units are about to leave the cooling extension they are moved into the range of a second endless chain 89 which follows closely the upward inclination of the track rail H. The chain 89 is mounted upon an auxiliary framing and driven by an electric motor, as in the case of the chain i8. It requires only driving sleeves 9i! set at equally spaced intervals throughout its length.

The retort units are raised by the chain 89 and the track rail 74 to a higher elevation than that from which they descend into the heating charnber, in order that they may proceed by gravity to the discharging stations and thence to the charging station. After being charged they may proceed `by gravity to the position of engagement with the chain 1S.

A simple and convenient discharging mechanism is represented in Figures l0 and 1l. Each line of retort units passes to a level section of the track rail. 'I4 where it may be moved transversely over a discharge hopper 9! which has two inlet openings 92, so disposed that a retort unit may be readily aligned with one of such openings on being inclined slightly out of the vertical by pressure applied by the plungers 93 of one of two oppositely disposed pairs of hydraulic rams 94. The door-operating arm it of the retort unit lmay be automatically operated by a cam plate 95 or the like in the lateral movement of the end fitting of the unit as it moves into position over an inlet opening 92. Each hopper 9| may deliver the product from the retort units between screening plates co-operating with a transporter or endlessband'eonveyor 96 serving'tov deliver the prod; uct as may be desired.

At the charging station the retort units again pass to a section of the track rail 14 which is horizontal. As the retort tubes are closed at the upper ends, it is necessary to make provision for their inversion before they are charged. For the purpose there may be conveniently provided mechanism such as that illustrated in Figure 12. The retort unit is moved into a position in which it is laterally disposed in relation to a rotatable carrier 91 vsupported upon a horizontal spindle by a pedestal or pedestals 98. The carrier is provided at the upper and lower ends with jaws 90 that are carried upon pivot pins set in the longitudinal direction of the carrier. Thus the jaws 99 may be caused to engage and hold the retort unit at the two ends of its cross-section. The hooks 34 may then be disengaged from the suspension plate 22 and fork the purpose there is provided a vertically disposed hydraulic ralm the plunger I0| of which is fitted with an arm |02 to engage and depress the operating spur or trigger of the hooks 34 Iand to rotate the hooks about their pivot pin. The retort unit may then be inverted by rotation of the carrier 91 through 130. This movement positions the lower end of the end fitting of the unit beneath a feed pipe or pipes |03 adapted for charging all the re` torts or tubes of the unit at the same time and coupled to two feeding devices |05 and |05 respectively for coal and breeze, for example, which are supplied from corresponding hoppers |06 and |01 supported upon elongated transverse bearer members 4|. The door-operating arm l0 `of the unit may be moved to open the door by the plunger |08 of a hydraulic ram |09. The retorts or tubes are charged first with coal and finallywith a small proportion of breeze, whereupon the ram |09 is caused to permit the door to close; The unit is then restored to its normal position by a reverse movement of the carrier 91, whereupon the plunger |0| of the ram |00 is retracted to permit the hooks 34 again to engage the sus pension plate 22 of the unit. The jaws 99 are then released and the charged unit is free to be sent forward upon the track rail 14 by gravity to engage the chain 18.

In the construction represented in Figures 13 and 14 the retorts or tubes ||0 are of a diameter f of six inches or more or less, or of oblong or other shape, having a narrow cross-sectional dimension. The upper ends of the retorts or tubes are inwardly flanged at Ill', or Yalternatively outwardly flanged, to permit of the fastening thereto by means of bolts or the like of discflike cover plates l l2. The lower ends of the retorts or tubes which vare adapted for dipping into the liquor in the hydraulic main H3 remain open and at a short distance from the lower edge each retort or tube is provided with a gas and vapour outlet pipe I l extending laterally. At a determined distance above the gas and vapour outlet pipe the retort or tube is tted with a perforated plate or grid H5 for the support of the charge of the substance to be distilled. The said perforated plate or grid is removable and is mounted upon supporting lugs IIB or the like provided on the inner surface of the retort or tube. Thus, the plate or grid may be recessed at the periphery at positions corresponding with those of the lugs so that it may be entered past the lugs and may then be turned through an angle to seatV on the lugs.

flhe said retorts or tubes ||0 are charged with leave the main, the

the closed end downwardly disposed and 'after the charge has been introduced there is advantageously applied upon the surface oi the charge a small quantity of breeze or small pieces or peas of the residue of distillation of the sub: stance being distilled, whereupon the perforated plate or grid l5 is fitted in position.A

Alternatively the charge supporting plate or' grid may be of fixed position within the retort and the upper closure platemay be removablev for the charging of the retort.

The heating chamber ||1 through which the retorts or tubes H0 travel is advantageously of a vertical section similar to but of larger dimensions than the longitudinal cross-section of the retorts or tubes that is transverse to the path of movement. The heating chamber is formed in a setting H3 which extends longitudinally for such a distance as is required to permit the retorts or tubes to be subjected to the varying stages of heat treatment. The setting is provided to be supported upon a base |59 of metal, concrete, or reinforced concrete such that the setting is elevated at a distance from the ground level that will permitv of the disposition of the hydraulic main i3 below the setting in a direction parallel with the length of the heating chamber H1. Alternatively the setting may be disposed upon the ground level above a tunnel or open channel in which the hydraulic main is situated.

The retorts or tubes H0 extend downwardly through a slot or longitudinal opening |20 in the base in order that the lower ends of the retorts or tubes ||0 and the gas and vapour outlet pipes H4 may be immersed in the liquor in the hydraulic main |13.

The retorts or tubes H0 are suspended from a track or rail |'2I comprising an I section beam by a suspension member comprising a rod |22 y or the like, the upper end of `which is forked to carry stub-spindles fortrack wheels |23 run upon the upper surfaces of the lower flange of the rail I2 I. The lower ends of the suspension members |22 are" pivotally connected by pivot pins |24 'mounted in lugs |2 upon the closure plates |12. The retorts or tubes may be fitted alternatively with pivoted bale members to which the suspension members may be connected.

In order that the suspension members |22 travel along the setting H8 when the retorts or tubes H0 are within the heating chamber |i1 the upper part of the setting is slotted at 20 in the centre line of the track or rail |2l. The slot may be closed in any suitable manner. Thus, each suspension member may be provided with a slidably mounted transverse plate i2? which at the opposite sides is provided with downwardly extending flanges that may dip into sand or other similar loose material contained in longitudinal channels |28 bounding the slot |26.

The hydraulic main H3 is disposed below the setting, as in the case of the construction previously described, and is a tank-like structure extending longitudinally. To receive the gas there is provided, for a little less than half the width of the main, a dome-like closure E29 havn ing an inner downwardly depending wall with its lower edge immersed in the liquor. The open hydraulic main extends at the two ends beyond the V.setting to'v permit the gas and vapour outlet pipes |44 of the retorts Vor tubes l It to enter and track rail |2| being inclined at these positions. In order that the .flanges of the slidably mounted plates |21 upon the sus- Which pension members |22 may enter or leave the channels |28 each suspension member |22 may be provided with an adjustable collar |311y so disposed that when the suspension member rises or falls on following the inclined parts of the track rail |2| the said Collars may rise into contact with or move out of contact with the slidably mounted plates.

In the modified construction represented in Figures to 17 the retorts or tubes |3| are provided in pairs that are connected together at the ends to form a unit.

The lower ends of the retort units are closed by perforated closure plates |32 mounted pivotally in bearings provided in the end tting |33, the perforated plates being maintained in the closed position by means of a supporting lug |34 provided upon a vertically disposed spindle |35 mounted in bearings on the wall of the end tting and having at the lower end an outwardly extending arm |35 whereby the closure plate may be released automatically by engagement with a suitably disposed fixed stop, as the retorts arrive at the position at which the solid residue of distillation is to be discharged therefrom.

The end tting |33 is tted with the gas and vapour outlets |37 in the form of a lateral extension of an inverted U-shape in cross section.

The track rail |33 is supported by bracket members |36 from an overhead framework and o adapted to receive carriages |40 provided with grooved wheels I4! for running upon the rail. Each carrier supports a retort unit by means oi a suspension rod |42 which is suitably mounted upon the closed ends of the retorts and engages the downwardly extended part of the carrier by means of a hook or like formation |43 at the upper end.

The retorts are moved through the heating chamber by a conveyer drive comprising an endless chain |44 adapted to move about vertical axes and having laterally extending driving pins |45 for contacting with the suspension rods of the retorts.

The walls of the heating chamber (Figures 13, 15 and 17) are formed of open box bricks |45 which separate the heating chamber from combustion chambers |47 and flues |48 (Figures 13 and 14) which in the direction transverse to the heating chamber are of narrow cross-section. In each case the combustion chamber is provided at the upper end with a gas burner or burners |49 (Figure 13) and with means for the admission of air for combustion so that the heating gases travel downwardly along the combustion chamber and through an opening |56 at the lower end of the wall |5| separating the combustion chamber from the adjacent vertical flue. The gases then pass upwardly along the nue |43 into a discharge conduit |52 extending the length of the setting and communicating either directly with a chimney or through regenerators or recuperators by which the air for combustion may be heated. The wall intervening between each combustion chamber and its associated flue may be apertured near or at the upper end, as at |53, to permit of recirculation of the heating gases from the flue |48 to 4the combustion chamber 41 to a determined degree.

In the construction represented in Figure 18 the retorts or tubes |54 are reduced in diameter at the upper part |55 to form gas and vapour Spaces and each is provided with an outer jacket |56 forming an annular space extended beyond the upper end of the retort or tube |54 which;

when charged, is advantageously closed with a cap |51, after which a luting of sand may be charged into the jacket. After the retorts or tubes emerge from the heating chamber and are cooled, the luting of sand may be removed or partially removed through an outlet |58. Similarly, at the lower end an inverted cap |59, of a diameter slightly larger than the retort tube, may be applied, for the reception of a luting of sand or other loose material, and the inverted cap may be secured in position by any convenient means, such as by fastening members that may be disposed at the side in diametrically opposite positions and connected to fittings suitably mounted in corresponding positions above the inverted cap.

rlhe retorts or tubes |54 with the jackets |56 extend above the upper part of the settingr to the extent of the length of the jacket, and the outwardly extending ends of the retorts or tubes may be enclosed within a casing |66 serving also as a cover for the open upper end of the heating chamber |6|, and supported upon the setting. Alternatively, instead of the casing, angle members may be provided on each side of the retort jackets to extend into channel members, as in Figures 13 and 15, provided to extend adjacent the retorts on the setting, the channels being lled with a luting of sand in the manner hereinbefore described. The retorts are suspended from an overhead rail or track in the manner hereinbefore described, by suspension members |62 that pass through a slot |63 left in a central or other position at the top of the casing or cover |60. The hydraulic main |64 is mounted upon the setting in position adjacent the casing or cover |66. The gas outlet pipe, which extends outwardly from the jacket |56, projects through a longitudinal slot in the casing or cover |60.

The setting illustrated in Figures 18 to 20 is provided with a series of combustion chambers |65 and connected iiues |66 disposed at each side of the heating chamber |6|, after the manner of the construction represented in Figure 14. The ues may be vertical or horizontal. The ilues |66 deliver the waste gases into the common discharge flue |61.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the use of any particular form of setting or to any individual means for applying the necessary heat under'regulation to the retorts or tubes.

The settings hereinbefore described are examples, but any other suitable setting may be used.

Settings such as that described with reference to Figures 1 to 9 and having one or more series or panels of tubes or other hollow structures of metal adapted to form the heating walls of the heating chamber or part of the said walls may also vary in design. Thus, the metal tubes or structures may be supplied with heating gases from heating iiues of refractory material which receive the heating gases from a connected combustion chamber or from an outside source. Such a construction is illustrated in Figures 2l and 22. On each side of the centre line of the heating chamber there is a combustion chamber |66 extending in the vertical direction and of small thickness, with gas burners and means for the introduction of air for combustion at the lower end. Each combustion chamberv 'is connected to a heating Iiue |69 lying adjacent thereto,V communication being- 'effected by an opening at the upper end of the intervening wall. There may further be provided an inter-connecting passage |1| adjacent the burners which may be employed for re-circulation of the heating gases and may be provided with dampers or other means of control of the area of the opening.- The heating gases passing downwardly in the flues |69 are caused to pass by way of an outwardly directed passage |12 to a vertical flue or conduit |13 closed at the upper end and provided in the front wall forming the separating wall of the heating chamber with a vertical series of horizontal openings |14. In

each of such openings there is slidably mounted a bush-like connector |15 xedly secured to one end of a tubular or like metal structure |16 serving as a radiator of the heat lfrom the heating gases passing therethrough. The metal tubes or structures |16 are closed lat the two ends and extend longitudinally along the -interior of the heating chamber advantageously within a recess |11 vin the wall ofthe chamber, such-that the outer surfaces of the metal tubes or structures'lie fiushwith the wall of the heating chamber in which are formed the combustion chambers and iiues. At the far ends the metal tubes or Structures |16 aresimilarly provided with bush-like connectors |18 which are mounted in fixed positions in the wall of a second vertical nue |19 that is closed at the upper end and that may communicate with an exhauster fan or a waste gas discharge flue. It will be understood that where necessary a plu rality of setsof metal tubes or structures may be provided-through which theheating gases may pass in parallelV or in series according to the` conditions of heatingrequiredrand the sets of metal tubes Ior structures maybe succeeded by heating flues formed in the setting; Means may further be provided inthe setting for the pre-heating of the air for combustion by a recuperative or regenerative eiect.

' Where the metal tubes or structures are required to provide for a variation in the degree of heat applied at different positions in the vertical directionthey may be connected in superposed groups to corresponding horizontal heating flues or combustion chambers, advantageously superposed and adapted for independent regulation of the heat applied tothe respective groups'of metal tubes or structures. It will be understood thatany setting may be adapted for the passage of the retorts or tubes through affplurality of' parallel heat chambers. Thus, as illustrated by Figure 2,3, in a setting similar to those hereinbefore described and provided with series of metal tubes or structures to serve as radiators of heat, there may be provided a number of parallel heating chambers |30, the intervening walls of which are formed, in proximity to the position of discharge of the retorts or tubes, with combustion chambers |8| and flues |82 set in alignment parallel with the path of the retorts or tubes, the nues delivering the heating gases to metal tubes or structures |83 which in turn deliver the heating gases to flues |84 for discharge to the waste gas conduit |85. It is advantageous in such a construction of setting to provide each series of metal tubes or structures of a number of pairs of tubes or structures lying side by side in the horizontal direction. Such an arrangement of the metal tubes or structures has the eifect of setting up a circulation of heated air such that the air passes upwardly between the units of the pairs of the metal tubes or structures and flows downwardly in contact with the retorts or tubes.

Whatever the form of the setting, the retorts or tubes discharged from the heating chamber or heating chambers are caused to travel (Figure 23) to a discharging station |56 where they arev caused to dispose of the treated charges. The empty retorts or tubes then proceed to a charging station |81 at which they are charged before proceeding into the heating chamber or heating chambers |89.

in any type of setting the hot retorts or tubes may be used for the purpose of pre-heating the air required for the combustion chambers, to permit of the reduction of the temperature of the waste gases to about 153 C. before discharge. AThe carbonising of the substance distilled is advantageously, effected under such conditions that .gas of. high caloriflc value V-rich in methane is produced in the early stages while in the later stages gas of low caloric value rich in hydrogen -is produced. The conditions of carbonising may also be controlled in such manner that cracking of the gas to a determined extent is effected.

Again, the retorts or tubes and the hydraulic main 'may be provided to permit partial oxidationl of the. substances being distilled before carbonisation begins, in order to reduce swelling. For this' `purpose the retorts or tubes are heated in the normalmanner but the dipping of the lower ends of the retorts or tubes into the liquor in the hydraulic mainis delayed sc that there is generated a current of air through each charge. It is ad- 1 vantageous for this purpose to provide a removableiplug at the upper end of the retort or tube to enable this operation to be carried out.

Inany form of the setting the combustion chambersmay be provided in the length or" the setting in anumber of adjacent sections or panels whereby separate combustion chambers are provided, into which gas and air are admitted from adjacent supply conduits extending beneath the combustion chamber sections or panels. By such means the application of heat may be controlled in the sections or panels. Thus, for example, the sections or paneis near the inlet end of the furnace may be maintained at a low temperature and each succeeding panel or section in the direction of the course of the retort tubes through the heating chamber may be maintained at a successively, higher temperature, and the highest temperature may be maintained in the panels or sections near the adjacent outlet end of the heating chamber, the temperature gradient or incre-` ment being determined from section to section as required by the composition of the solid carbonaceous substance being treated, and the heat' maintained at a substantially constant value in the respective panels or sections. It will however be understood that the temperatures maintained in the respective panels or sections may be adjusted in relation to the rate of travel of the retorts through the heating chamber, the length of the heating furnace setting as well as the length of the hydraulic main being advantageously so determined that the distillation is substantially completed at the iinal temperatures employed in the panels or sections near the outlet end of theheating chamber.

The process may be carried out with the charge under pressure and for the purpose a perforated cast iron weight, as represented in Figure 18, may be disposed on the top of the charge in each retort. The weight may be selected so as to ases-ns l kert a pressure of 11/2 lb. per square' inch.

It will be understood that the retorts may be discharged after the charges have been cooled, advantageously to atmospheric temperature, and both discharging and recharging of the retorts may be done at stations to which the retorts may travel under the action of gravity in the manner described.

The material subject to distillation may be coking coal or blends of coking and non-coking coals or other non-swelling additions in various proportions as may be required in particular cases for the purpose of securing a smokeless fuel having the desired characteristics, or the materials may be subjected to distillation in a loriquetted or compressed form.

' Where the retorts are provided as casings that while having a narrow dimension transversely are relatively wide, they may be provided with a number of gas and vapour outlet pipes or fittings :and may be suspended from a number of positions or such retorts may in known manner be constructed of side walls that may be separated for the convenient discharge of the residue.

I claim:

l. Apparatus for the distillation of coal comprising retorts to contain charges of the coal, a furnace setting through which the retorts travel, an endless track, wheeled carriages on said track from which the retorts are suspended, both endless track and the wheeled carriages being outside the furnace setting, a heating chamber or chambers within the furnace setting, laterally extending outlets from the retorts for passing gas and vapour into a hydraulic main, a vertical longitudinal slot formed in the upper part of the furnace setting, means passing through the said longitudinal slot and connecting the retorts to the wheeled carriages, a siidable plate on said means disposed to lie in a substantially horizontal plane and serving to. close the longitudinal slot at its upper end as the retorts travel through 4the furnace.

2. Apparatus for the distillation of coal as claimed lin claim 1, wherein the retorts are permanently sealed at the upper ends and are formed with perforated plates at their lower ends, the perforated plates being pivoted to swing downwardly for the discharge of the treated coal from the retorts.

3. Apparatus for the distillation of coal as claimed in claim 1, in which the hydraulic main is provided with transverse partition walls that are reduced in width below the surface of the liquor so as to permit the laterally extending outlets of the retorts to pass through the main.

4. Apparatus for the distillation of coal as claimed in claim 1, in which the heating chamber or chambers within the furnace setting are :formed with hollow metal structures through which hot gases flow, the said hollow metal struc- 'tures being placed along the length of each heating chamber and on each ank of the retorts and being connected with combustion chambers and with discharge conduits.

5. Apparatus for the distillation of coal as claimed in claim 1, in which the heating chamber or chambers within the furnace setting are formed with hollow metal structures through which hot gases flow, the hollow metal structures being provided in a longitudinal series of superposed panels, each panel being connected with a corresponding combustion chamber provided with means for theregulation of heat.

6. Apparatus for the distillation of coal as claimed in claim 1, in which the heating chamber or chambers within the furnace setting is formed with heating ues and intermediate combustion chambers, each combustion chamber communicating with a corresponding heating flue, a discharge conduit in communication with each of the heating flues, the said heating ues and intermediate combustion chambers being situated along the length of each heating chamber and on each flank of the retorts.

7. Apparatus for the distillation of coal as claimed in claim 1, in which the endless track from which the retorts are suspended is formed so that the laterally extending outlets from the retorts dip into the hydraulic main as the retorts enter the furnace setting and rise from the hydraulic main as the retorts leave the furnace setting. Y

8. Apparatus for the distillation of coal as claimed in claim 1, including means for maintaining successively higher temperatures along the lengths of the heating chambers.

9. Apparatus for the distillation of coal comprising retorts associated in groups to form units, the upper ends of the retorts being closed by a common closure plate attached to a vertical plate by which the retorts are suspended, an endless track, wheeled carriages on said endless track, the lower ends of the retorts being fitted with a perforated pivoted closure plate, a common fitting housing the lower ends of the retorts, a lateral extension formed on said common fitting for lead ing gas and vapour from the retorts, a hydraulic main situated atV the base of a furnace setting, a vertical slot in the upper surface of said furnace setting through which vertical slot travels the said vertical plate, a slidable memberfor closing said vertical slot disposed on said vertical plate, the endless track on which the wheeled carriages travel being formed so that the lateral' extension of the common fitting housing the lower ends of the retorts dips into the hydraulic main as the retorts enter the furnace setting and rises from the hydraulic main as the retorts leave the furnace setting.

JACK CARTWRIGHT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

